The 1980s were a time of bold statements and vibrant designs, and this extended to gardens as well. Homeowners embraced plants with striking colors, unique textures, and dramatic shapes to reflect the era’s love for flair and individuality.
From tropical favorites to showy blooms, these plants transformed yards into lively outdoor sanctuaries. Let’s take a closer look at 26 bold and beautiful plants that defined the unforgettable garden trends of the 1980s!
Bird of Paradise
With its exotic appearance, Bird of Paradise was a 1980s favorite, adding a splash of tropical flair to gardens. Its vibrant orange and blue flowers mimic a bird in flight, making it a standout feature. Often positioned as a focal point, this plant brought a hint of the tropics to even the most temperate climates.
While it thrives in warm areas, it can also be cultivated indoors in cooler regions. This adaptability, coupled with its sculptural foliage, made it a versatile choice for garden enthusiasts. Its unique structure complemented both modern and traditional garden designs.
Hosta
Renowned for their robust foliage, hostas became a staple in 1980s gardens. These perennials offered a variety of leaf shapes, sizes, and colors, adding texture to shaded spaces. Their broad leaves could turn any shadowy corner into a lush retreat.
Easy to maintain, hostas thrive in partial to full shade, making them ideal for underplanting trees or alongside shaded paths. Despite their low-profile flowers, these plants were loved for their leaves. Their presence in 1980s gardens was both practical and aesthetic, effortlessly fitting into diverse garden styles.
Maranta
Also known as the Prayer Plant, Maranta’s eye-catching foliage made it a popular indoor plant during the 1980s. Its leaves, adorned with intricate green and purple patterns, brought life to indoor spaces. Known for their movement, the leaves fold up at night in a prayer-like fashion.
Thriving in indirect light and humid conditions, Maranta was perfect for homes with limited sunlight. Its compact size and striking appearance made it a go-to choice for adding greenery without overwhelming a space. This plant’s whimsical nature intrigued and delighted plant lovers.
Fuchsia
Fuchsias, with their vibrant two-toned flowers, captivated 1980s gardeners. Their pendulous blooms, in shades of pink and purple, brought a bold touch to hanging baskets and container gardens. These plants were perfect for creating a splash of color in smaller spaces.
Ideal for cool, shady spots, fuchsias became synonymous with the English cottage garden aesthetic. Their long flowering season ensured continuous color, making them a favorite for patios and porches. Fuchsias added a touch of elegance, transforming ordinary spaces into floral showcases.
Coleus
Coleus brought vibrancy to 1980s gardens with its multicolored foliage. Known for its kaleidoscope of leaf colors—ranging from red and pink to green and yellow—this plant was a favorite for adding instant impact. It thrived in both sun and shade, offering versatility in garden design.
Whether used as a border plant or a container centerpiece, coleus provided visual interest throughout the growing season. Its ease of growth and maintenance made it accessible to gardeners of all skill levels. Coleus was celebrated for its ability to uplift and personalize garden spaces.
Dusty Miller
Dusty Miller, with its silvery-gray foliage, offered a subtle elegance to 1980s gardens. Its leaves provided a soft, muted contrast to more vibrant flowers, making it an essential component of mixed borders. This plant’s unique color and texture added depth to garden compositions.
Resilient and drought-tolerant, Dusty Miller thrived in sunny spots, requiring minimal care. Its ability to withstand various conditions made it a reliable choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. In a decade of bold colors, its understated appeal was a refreshing balance.
Impatiens
Impatiens dominated shaded garden corners in the 1980s, celebrated for their bright, cheerful blooms. Available in a spectrum of colors, these flowers provided continuous color throughout the growing season, brightening even the darkest garden spots.
Adaptable and easy to grow, impatiens thrived in shade, requiring little maintenance. Their compact form made them ideal for borders and container gardens, ensuring they fit into any garden setting. These plants were loved for their ability to bring life and vibrancy to areas often overlooked.
Lantana
Lantana’s kaleidoscope of flowers made it a standout in 1980s gardens. Its clusters of small blooms, often blending multiple colors, attracted pollinators and added dynamic movement to garden beds. This vibrant plant thrived in the sun, perfect for brightening sunny spots.
Known for its resilience, lantana required minimal watering once established, making it suitable for low-maintenance gardens. Its ability to bloom profusely throughout the season ensured a constant display of color. Lantana’s lively presence brought energy and vibrancy, resonating with the bold spirit of the 1980s.
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart, with its delicate, heart-shaped flowers, brought a touch of romance to shaded 1980s gardens. These charming blooms, in soft pink and white, hung gracefully from arching stems, lending an air of whimsy to garden spaces.
Thriving in cool, shaded areas, bleeding hearts were perfect for woodland gardens or shaded borders. Their early spring blooms provided a welcome burst of color after winter, effortlessly blending with other shade-loving plants. The plant’s nostalgic appeal and gentle beauty made it a beloved choice for gardeners seeking elegance.
Elephant Ear
Elephant Ear plants made a big statement in 1980s gardens with their oversized leaves. These tropical plants, with their bold, architectural foliage, added a dramatic touch to garden designs. Their lush, green leaves created a sense of exotic escape.
Preferring warm, humid conditions, Elephant Ears thrived in tropical and subtropical regions. However, they could also be grown as annuals or container plants in cooler climates. Their impressive size and form made them perfect for creating focal points or adding depth to garden landscapes.
English Ivy
English Ivy, with its classic trailing vines, was a popular choice for adding greenery to vertical spaces in 1980s gardens. Its ability to climb and cover walls, fences, and trellises brought a touch of timeless elegance to outdoor settings.
Thriving in partial to full shade, English Ivy was ideal for creating lush, green backdrops or softening hardscapes. Its evergreen nature ensured year-round interest, making it a reliable choice for garden structure. Despite its simplicity, English Ivy’s charm lay in its versatility and enduring appeal.
New Guinea Impatiens
New Guinea Impatiens brought a burst of color to 1980s gardens with their vibrant, large blooms. Unlike their shade-loving counterparts, these plants thrived in sunny spots, providing gardeners with more placement options.
Known for their resilience and continuous flowering, New Guinea Impatiens were perfect for brightening garden beds and borders. Their larger flowers and diverse color range added a cheerful touch to any outdoor space. This plant was celebrated for its adaptability and ability to bring bold color to various garden settings.
Daylily
Daylilies, with their bright, trumpet-shaped flowers, became a garden staple in the 1980s. Known for their hardiness and adaptability, these plants thrived in a variety of conditions, making them ideal for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
Each daylily bloom lasted just a day, but the plant’s ability to produce multiple flowers ensured continuous color throughout the season. Their vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and red brought warmth and cheer to garden borders and beds, embodying the joyful spirit of the decade.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus, with its large, showy flowers, brought a tropical touch to 1980s gardens. These shrubs, known for their vibrant reds, pinks, and yellows, became focal points in garden designs, drawing attention with their bold blooms.
Thriving in warm climates, hibiscus plants added a sense of the exotic to temperate gardens. Their lush foliage and continuous flowering provided a dynamic backdrop for other plants. Hibiscus was cherished for its ability to evoke a vacation-like atmosphere, making it a favorite for garden enthusiasts seeking escape.
Geranium
Geraniums, with their bright clusters of blooms, were a staple in 1980s container gardens. Known for their cheerful reds, pinks, and whites, these hardy plants thrived in sunny spots, adding a pop of color to patios and balconies.
Their compact size and ease of care made geraniums perfect for gardeners with limited space. They required minimal watering and maintenance, yet provided a long-lasting display of color. Geraniums brought a touch of nostalgia and were celebrated for their versatility and enduring charm.
Canna Lily
Canna Lilies, with their bold blooms and striking foliage, brought a touch of tropical flair to 1980s gardens. Known for their vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, these plants became a favorite for adding drama to garden designs.
Their large leaves and tall flower spikes created a sense of height and structure, making them perfect for creating focal points. Thriving in sunny spots, Canna Lilies required minimal care once established, making them a popular choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance beauty. Their exotic appeal and vibrant colors captured the decade’s bold spirit.
Spider Plant
Spider Plants, with their cascading foliage, were a popular indoor choice in the 1980s. Known for their long, arching leaves that often sported white stripes, these plants added a touch of nature to interior spaces.
Their resilience and easy care made them ideal for homes and offices, thriving in indirect light. Spider Plants were also known for their air-purifying qualities, making them a practical choice for improving indoor environments. Their playful appearance and ability to produce baby plants made them an engaging and rewarding plant to grow.
Peace Lily
Peace Lilies, with their elegant white blooms, became a symbol of indoor serenity in the 1980s. Known for their glossy, dark green leaves, these plants were a favorite for adding a touch of sophistication to home interiors.
Thriving in low-light conditions, Peace Lilies were perfect for shaded corners and offices, requiring minimal care. Their ability to improve air quality further enhanced their appeal. These plants were cherished for their calming presence and graceful blooms, making them a beloved addition to indoor plant collections.
Rubber Plant
Rubber Plants became a statement piece in 1980s interiors with their bold, glossy leaves. These indoor trees added height and drama, fitting seamlessly into modern or traditional decor. Their sturdy nature made them a favorite for busy households.
Thriving in indirect light, Rubber Plants required minimal watering and care, making them ideal for those new to indoor gardening. Their large leaves were not only visually striking but also excellent at purifying the air. Rubber Plants were appreciated for their robust growth and ability to transform indoor spaces.
Jade Plant
Jade Plants, with their thick, fleshy leaves, were a popular choice for 1980s homes and offices. Known for their resilience and easy care, these succulents added a touch of greenery to sunny indoor spots.
Often associated with good luck, Jade Plants became common gifts, symbolizing prosperity and friendship. Their ability to thrive with minimal watering made them perfect for busy lifestyles. Jade Plants were cherished for their longevity and classic appeal, adding a timeless touch to any decor.
Philodendron
Philodendrons, with their lush, trailing vines, were a beloved houseplant in the 1980s. Known for their heart-shaped leaves, these plants added a touch of greenery and softness to interiors.
Their adaptability to various light conditions made them easy to grow, thriving in both bright and shaded areas. Philodendrons were perfect for hanging baskets or as climbing plants, providing a versatile option for indoor gardening. Their lush growth and low maintenance requirements made them a staple in many homes, enhancing decor with their vibrant presence.
Zebra Plant
Zebra Plants, with their striking striped foliage, added a touch of novelty to 1980s interiors. Their bold, variegated leaves made them a standout feature, perfect for adding contrast to plant collections.
Thriving in indirect light, these plants required regular watering to maintain their lush appearance. Despite their care requirements, Zebra Plants were loved for their unique appearance and ability to captivate attention. They offered a quirky charm, making them a popular choice for plant enthusiasts seeking something different.
Caladium
Caladiums, with their heart-shaped leaves, brought vibrant color to 1980s gardens. Known for their striking patterns in hues of pink, red, and white, these plants added flair to shaded beds and borders.
Their preference for shade made them ideal companions for other foliage plants, creating lush, colorful displays. Caladiums required regular watering and care to maintain their vivid appearance. Despite this, their bold colors and unique patterns made them a favorite for gardeners looking to add interest and personality to their outdoor spaces.
Maidenhair Fern
Maidenhair Ferns, with their delicate, lacy fronds, provided a soft, ethereal touch to 1980s gardens. These plants were perfect for shaded nooks, offering a gentle contrast to bolder foliage.
Thriving in cool, moist environments, Maidenhair Ferns required consistent care to maintain their lush appearance. Their intricate fronds and graceful growth made them a popular choice for adding texture and elegance to garden compositions. Despite their delicate look, these ferns held a resilient charm that captivated garden enthusiasts.
Boston Fern
Boston Ferns, with their lush, arching fronds, were a staple of 1980s porches and patios. These ferns added a touch of classic elegance, perfect for creating a welcoming entrance.
Their preference for humid conditions made them ideal for outdoor shaded areas or indoor spaces with indirect light. Boston Ferns required regular misting to maintain their lushness, but their graceful appearance was worth the effort. These ferns were celebrated for their ability to soften spaces and add a touch of timeless beauty to any setting.
Yucca
Yucca plants, with their spiky leaves and towering flower spikes, brought a touch of the desert to 1980s gardens. Known for their architectural form, these plants added structure and height to garden designs.
Thriving in sunny, dry conditions, Yuccas were perfect for low-water landscapes and xeriscaping. Their ability to withstand harsh conditions made them a practical choice for gardeners in arid regions. Yuccas were appreciated for their striking appearance and resilience, embodying the bold spirit of the decade with their dramatic flair.